I kicked asphalt!!!

I did it!!!!
I competed in my first major event.  I completed the 8k at the Philadelphia Marathon 2009.
Whooo Hoooo!!!! I feel great.
Back in August I decided to give running a try.  To keep my commitment, I decided to enter a competition.
I was flipping through the Prevention magazine and saw an advertisement for the Philadelphia Marathon.  I thought, well that is close by, why not? There was a full marathon, a half-marathon and the 8k.  To keep it real I registered for the 8k.
I have never been an athlete of any sort.  I have always approached sports as just something fun and when it was no longer fun, I quit.  I never really got the whole competitiveness thing.
Over these 3 months of training, my thought process evolved.  I began to see where the mental is very much a part of the physical.  Yeah, I know mind, body and soul.  But, I really saw where having just the physical ability was not enough to be competitive, you need to also be strong mentally.
There is a quote I came across midway through - "The body does not want you to do this.  As you run, it tells you to stop but the mind must be strong.  You always go too far for your body. You must handle the pain with strategy...It is not age; it is not diet.  It is the will to succeed."  -Jacqueline Gareau, 1980 Boston Marathon champ

Going into the event, I was disappointed because I had not been able to train for a full week prior as I had a cold that really knocked me down.  Prior to being ill, I ran 5.4 miles so I knew I could do the distance.  But being sick and weak prior to race day was discouraging.
I arrived in Philadelphia on Saturday.  Race packets were to be picked up at the convention center, where an expo was taking place.  It was a big overwhelming, but I decided to take it in stride.
First of all I was alone.  Everyone around seemed to have a support team around them.  People were running in teams or had people with them for support.
Second noticeable, I was clearly a newbie.  My body is still in progress so I do not look the part and I was dressed more for a hike in cargo pants and a tweed hat.  Most of the items on display I had not heard of.  Also there were elite and famous runners at the expo and I had not heard of them either.
I decided to step back.  I literally stepped aside and took a deep breath and decided I was going to enjoy the moment.  I stepped back in with a smile on my face and awed at all the gadgets and fancy devices on display.
I did not have the usual dinner of pasta recommended.  I had Thai food, vegetable soup and tofu and pineapple fried rice.  Back at the hotel I tried to have an early night but I woke every couple of hours, not so much nervousness but more excitement and anticipation. 
In the morning, I decided that rather than sit around until it was time to go, I would go early and take it all in.  I shared a taxi with three other women.  They were running the marathon together, it was not their first.  I spent the next hour walking around observing the different techniques for preparation.  There clearly was a difference in the marathoners and the 8k runners.  All the attention was on the marathon and the half-marathon.  Their bibs were color-coded and the 8kers were plain. 
The line up for the marathon was exciting.  Many came from all over the world to participate.  The first batch of runners were actually called "elite".  After four waves of marathoners it was time for the 8kers to line up.  I did some stretching and took my place.
Behind me was a 74 year old woman who said she took running up when she was 72.  Beside me was a woman in her 50's who had been running for a few years.  For the most part, everyone around was very encouraging.  Especially when I said I had been running for about 3 months. 
I ran my own race.  There were parts where the marathoners crossed paths with us and the 8kers would give them shout-outs.  I tried to take in the scenery and just stay calm.  Crossing the finish line was an amazing feeling.  Being wrapped in that 'foil' blanket, I felt like an athlete.  I met up with my family, who drove in that morning and I have been on a buzz ever since.
I have no major aches or pains.  My ITband is a bit tight but nothing stretching and rest will not fix. 
I now look for my next event.  Yes, I think running is a keeper.